Nexus

Nexus

Carla R. Herrera

Smashwords Edition

Dedication

To the unknown artist.

They say we all stand on the shoulders of giants, but it is you, the one who keeps tapping away with hope in your heart, a dream in your head and on the cusp of reality.

You inspire us all. Thank you.

Acknowledgements

Gloria, Jessica, Tania. Thanks for believing I could do this. And for my friends, fellow authors and artists whose words of encouragement helped keep me going.

This is a work of fiction. Characters, places and incidents either are the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or locales is entirely coincidental or used fictitiously.

All rights reserved

Copyright © 2013 Carla R. Herrera

No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without the written permission of the publisher, except where permitted by law.

The Great and Only Law shall be harm none.

From the Journals of Balam Sec non

Chapter 1

Council

Xilam ven1 strode purposefully up the steps to the community hall. The argument concerning the people of Aerte had been heard before, but she believed the support she had garnered over time would finally quell the debate. Commission members would once and for all be silenced. Regardless what the Unification Project Commission wanted, if they did not have full support from the people of Laelaps, they could not move forward with Prescription Two.

She also knew if things did not go the right way, the Law--the conduct of civilization--would be changed forever. Their future depended on this, as did the fate of other worlds. She passed through the door as it folded open and walked into a chamber that held a hushed crowd. A few faces turned in her direction and she nodded to those she recognized as she walked toward the front of the room.

Despite the size of the room, or perhaps because of it, few spoke above a whisper. Most worried over decorum or somehow dishonoring the sanctity of the place. Xilam did not consider the room sacred. It was a chamber of wisdom. Outstanding in architecture, for sure; domed ceiling, polished meteorite floors and a natural lighting plan that defied the brightest minds. But it was still just a community hall. No better or worse than any other place.

Crossing the space separating her from her colleagues, she acknowledged something in that deeper well of her was humbled over the ancient beginnings of the structure. The hall stood solid, built over five thousand years before her with raw materials and still no apparent problems.

Mounting steps to the stage, she exchanged glances with another of the legislators and took her seat, nodding at others already present.

Mayshon took a place at the podium in her usual fashion—smiling with confidence and aware most would comply with her assessment of the situation. She looked out at the audience, red hair piled upon her head like a wasp nest, green eyes glittering. She threw a glance at the legislators seated behind her and nodded to each side in greeting. Her eyes met Xilam's for a moment, but she glanced quickly away. No affection lost here.

The older woman tapped her ear bud allowing the room to adjust to memorized speech patterns, then looked over the audience once more. Without greeting she launched into her speech immediately, straight to the point in typical Ter-Herac fashion.

As you know, she began. An audible sigh emanated through the hall. We are gathered again to consider the Unification Project of our ancestors. Some believe the great experiment has run its course. They are ready to end it.

She paused a moment, allowing the idea to settle into their minds. This would mean termination, or better said, Prescription Two.

An audible intake of breath came from the audience. She held up a hand, as if to calm them. We have options, she said. We can take the experiment in a different direction.

People in the audience nodded to one another, seeming reassured options existed.

If this project does not take a turn for the better--if subjects continue exhibiting the same behaviors--we will have to initiate the second Prescription.

Xilam tapped her own ear bud and allowed the room a moment to adjust. Her avatar appeared in a box above their heads, next to Mayshon's. The judge was ready. Yes, Xilam Ven1. What is your response?

Prescription Two would move against the Great Law. We cannot, even if we wanted. It is against the Law.

Mayshon nodded. This is a consideration and a paradox, she declared. For more than seventy-five generations our civilization has thrived under the Law, but shouldn't we ask if it is right to continue this experiment with the harm other civilizations may incur from Artean progress? Shall we allow subjects we have created, she gestured toward the domed ceiling, to travel through the universe spreading not only their ill-will, but their destruction?

Some in the audience shook their heads. Xilam had traveled a long way for the congress, but now wondered why she had bothered to make the effort. Why did her supporters not speak? We cannot do it, she said, forgetting room adjustments.

Mayshon turned to her, brow arched in question. Xilam, does this means you volunteer to lead the direction of the project? Obviously you feel strongly about it.

Mayshon had her. Without knowing how it happened, the judge had turned this on her. She had been warned and dismissed the idea that Mayshon was manipulative. Now she saw it. She sat up straighter, nodded her assent. I will, she said.

At the Convergence, Xilam found a pod, programmed coordinates for home and hopped a wave. She pinged her yashura letting it know she was en route. The response was immediate. I know Xilam ven1. I have your location. You shall be home in approximately two peks.

An idea of how to inspire change for the dominant species of Aerte eluded her. Relaxing against the seat, she tried to process the task ahead. Soon she would need to present a plan to the council. After that, they would want some form of contact.

Her hand went to her mouth, a conscious act meant to distract her mind from wandering into areas she did not want to go. Contact. Stomach churning, she remembered some Aertean history from lessons and it was enough to make her cringe inwardly. The species were destructive, brutal and mentally slow.

She glanced out the pod allowing her eyes to follow the narrow band of wave at the front of her vehicle, then extended her view to other streams around her. The effect amazed her. She felt dizzy with the millions of scintillant colored particles, each slightly different from another. Though Ter-Herac and Tell had been using the waves forever, it had only been within the past half baktun they had been able to view them without enhancements. The result was stunning. Through the transblass, they could view each particle and its vibration. The result appeared to her something like millions of brilliant, tiny gems spread throughout the sky.

Her pod beeped and she braced herself for the pull. That immediate downward spiral through gravity. A fall they called it, but to her it felt much worse. Despite the technology and bright minds of the Tell and Ter-Herac, they could not figure out a way to curb this effect.

A moment later the pod door drew open and she exited, glanced up at the clear sky, no longer lit with particles; again, struck by the magic of technology.

Inside her dwelling, the yashura padded into the entrance and greeted her. Welcome Xilam ven one. Good to see you have returned safely.

Xilam felt the yashura unnecessary, but Balam had insisted. You need it as an emotional safety net. You're too isolated. The yashura will provide companionship when you feel yourself needing conversation.

She knew his intentions were pure, but still she felt a twinge of resentment that he might not trust her to remain alone. She had relented, only because she knew his reasoning correct. There were times when she needed someone to speak and share things with and did not feel comfortable reaching out to him.

Thank you, she returned, keeping her voice level.

The yashura was a bio-mechanical companion the techno-scientists constantly tinkered with. Made to appear as an animal, like a canine, feline or a tiny pachyderm. Some even asked for models made in the image of a deceased mate. Her model was in the image of a medium sized canine. Azure color with a fur-like material that sparkled or dimmed depending on its analysis of her mood.

Did you have a decent day? it asked.

The verbiage of the beast annoyed her. She knew it learned as she spoke with it, but the idea that an imitation of life, who could not speak correctly, could provide her with something she needed in reality caused a twinge of something more than resentment.

I had a good day, she corrected subtly, moving to the dining area. Speaking aloud, she seated herself at a small table. Needs assessment.

The canine sat nearby watching, as if in wait. She felt as if she were expected to say something to it, but knew it had no expectations. It was there to serve her needs. Still, those observant glass eyes constantly monitoring felt uncomfortable.

Moments later a long tone issued from the wall space across from her and she moved from her chair, opened the door from the metal cabinet set into the wall and withdrew a vessel of orange liquid.

When she finished her meal, she moved into her studio space and pinged Balam. His avatar appeared and looked pleased to see her. Love, how did the council go?

She tried not to smile, but her usual sharp features softened when he spoke to her. Not well. You were correct about Mayshon. She's sharp. Devious even, she said evenly.

Brow furrowed, a widening below his eyes indicated his concerned. It's fine. I can deal with it, she assured him.

What has she done? he asked. What did she get you into?

She shook her head, reluctant, wanted to turn away from his image so he could not see her face. Instead, she wrung her hands. She could not become emotional. Not now. Not when something this important was at stake.

She shook her head again. I will plan first contact. She swallowed and bit her lower lip. First contact with Aerte.

Standing behind her, the yashura spoke up. Congratualtions Xilam ven one. You have been promoted, but from your vocal levels, this is distressing news. Would you like to talk about it?

Balam's brows knit in worry. I'll be there soon. Don't worry. I'll help. I can help.

Chapter 2

The yashura stood nearby, expectant, but quiet. She had her back to it, but knew it would respond to whatever she needed. I do love it here, Xilam said, with the soft blanket of moisture falling around her.

Paws clicked behind her, moving closer. The beauty is remarkable. I have accessed images of other areas and most cannot compare Xilam.

She wondered if the beast could truly appreciate the beauty of the world around it. Though it could compare and contrast images of different scenes, did it feel a wonder of the creation of such things?

Yes. You're right of course. The beauty was part of the reason I chose this place.

She had chosen the area because of the isolation. Surrounded by instructors, guardians and chaperones for the better part of her life, once she reached adulthood she wanted to distance herself from that past. She had been one of the first of the Tell-Herac. Her biological father had been Ter-Herac. Her mother, she was told, had been Tell. She had been one of the few who carried the genes of both subspecies.

Dog, can you research an area of study I need? She had named her yashura 'Dog', keeping with the theme her life seemed to have taken. Rather than call a canine by its proper name, most Aerteans had a common name for the species. More, the star system she lived in, the people of Aerte referred to as the Sirius system and had at some time in history termed the Laelapian star as the dog star.

Which area of study would you need Xilam?

Aerte. I need to know more about Aerteans and how children are educated.

She stayed where she was, knowing she was getting drenched, but uncaring. The feeling reminded her of walking in fog; something she had done only once, long ago. A teacher had found an old simulation that allowed one to experience the feeling of different types of natural occurances from a different time; perhaps a different place.

They had experienced a terrifying earthquake. The mystery of fog. The trauma of a tornado. Before a hurricane could be suffered through, the administrator had cut the lesson short and reprimanded the instructor.

Which geographic area of the Aerte would you like to know about Xilam?

What do you mean?

Geographical areas designate resources people have on Aerte. Some areas have no educational system while others have exceptional systems for their time. I need to know which area you would like to access.

Can you access an area based upon highest control in social structure?

Certainly. There was a brief pause. That would be North America. Specifically, the United States of America, their time: year 1-9-6-0. This is generation one-twenty-five from the great experiment.

She turned from the scene, glanced down at Dog and moved into the dwelling, to the dining area, leaving wet footprints behind. Needs assessment please.

Dog padded after her. Would you like me to access this era Xilam?

"Yes please. From